Skip to main content
Tooth-Colored Fillings
Repair Minor Cosmetic Dental Problems

Through the use of tooth-colored filling materials, we can quickly fix any minor dental flaws that may be plaguing your smile!

dental fillings summerville sc
Repair Your Broken or Chipped Teeth with Bonding
Call Our Office!

Tooth-Colored Fillings in Summerville, SC

At Azalea Dental, we want you to realize a healthy, beautiful smile without costly and complex treatments. Our tooth-colored fillings in Summerville, SC are a feasible way to keep your teeth healthy and alleviate certain cosmetic dental issues.

The composite resin used in tooth-colored fillings also conceals tooth flaws in the dental bonding process.

If you would like to schedule an exam with our Summerville, SC dentist, contact our dental team today.

If you would like to learn more about tooth-colored fillings in Summerville, SC, continue reading. 

Why tooth-colored fillings in Summerville, SC?

Decades ago, the only option we had for strengthening a tooth with a filling was amalgam, or silver, fillings. Of course, amalgam is still a very effective material, but today, cavities filled with tooth-colored composite fillings restore the strength and health of your tooth while appearing completely natural.

One of the advantages of choosing tooth-colored composite fillings in Summerville, SC is that we can customize your filling to match the color of your natural tooth closely. A tooth filled with our composite material matches your teeth, and no one will know you've had dental work—just a beautiful, healthy tooth.

Tooth-colored fillings are perfect for teeth that show when you smile—unlike amalgam fillings that may detract from your smile. Tooth-colored fillings retain their natural beauty for years, whereas amalgam fillings may discolor teeth over time and cause them to develop a bluish tone or hue.

Some patients even opt to replace their old fillings with new tooth-colored fillings.

At Azalea Dental, we like to help our patients achieve healthy smiles, and when a dental option covers both the look and health of a patient’s teeth, we are always excited to bring it into our dental office.

If you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, contact our dental team today.

What is a tooth cavity?

A cavity is an area of decay located on your tooth. To repair a cavity, our Summerville, SC dentist thoroughly numbs the area and clears away the decay. He then closes the tooth with a tooth-colored filling.

How can I prevent cavities?

The best way to prevent cavities is to brush and floss your teeth twice daily, visit your dentist at least twice per year for exams and cleanings, and avoid sugary and acidic foods and beverages.

Exams and x-rays can spot areas of concern before cavities develop. Professional teeth cleanings get rid of cavity-causing residue that your toothbrush and floss leave behind.

If you grind and clench your teeth, a custom nightguard will reduce the wear and erosion on your enamel that leads to cavities.

Why couldn't I have a tooth-colored filling after my last root canal?

Dental fillings are one of the greatest tools we have for maintaining the health of your smile. While they’re versatile, they were never meant to do everything!

Sometimes a tooth becomes so weak or damaged that there is not enough natural tooth structure left even to place a filling. This is where a new dental crown would be appropriate.

Dental crowns are a type of restoration that completely encases your natural tooth right to the gum line. Crowns can be made using a variety of materials. But many of our patients choose porcelain because it is the most realistic and natural-looking.

A porcelain crown strengthens the tooth, restoring your ability to chew and use the tooth normally. Since it acts as a covering for the damaged tooth, it also improves the tooth’s appearance.

At Azalea Dental, we’re pleased to offer our patients the convenience of CEREC crowns. These revolutionary new crowns can be completed from start to finish during just one appointment at our Summerville dental office. You don’t have to deal with messy impressions, multiple injections, return visits to our dental office, or the nuisance of dealing with a temporary crown!

Crowns are effective dental restorations that have been in use for decades. If you would like to learn more about CEREC crowns at Azalea Dental, please give us a call. We will be happy to arrange a convenient consultation.

What is dental bonding?

The material used to make tooth-colored fillings look so natural that we can use it to reshape a tooth. We can also use the composite resin—which makes tooth-colored fillings—to conceal tooth flaws. Dental bonding is an inexpensive way to enhance your smile. Dental bonding has many cosmetic dental uses, including:

  • Filling uneven gaps and spaces between teeth
  • Repairing broken or cracked teeth
  • Filling in minor chips
  • Altering the shape of irregular teeth
  • Concealing discoloration—stubborn brown stains, for example

Is dental bonding right for me?

Before starting any treatment or procedure, our Summerville, SC dentist provides a thorough exam and x-rays—specifically if you have not been to our office in a while or if we have no recent x-rays on file.

Generally, patients who have fair to good oral health are good candidates for dental bonding in Summerville, SC.

Is tooth bonding material durable?

Tooth-colored fillings repair your tooth, look great, and strengthen your enamel. Our technique bonds the material to the tooth, which makes the restored tooth stronger.

On the other hand, amalgam fillings do not bond with your tooth's structure. Over time, the amalgam filling can lift away from the tooth’s natural enamel, especially around the edges. This allows an environment for bacteria to collect and grow, eventually leading to more cavities, infections, root infections, and periodontal disease. The result may mean a root canal or ongoing therapy for gum disease. 

Young couple smiling together l Tooth-Colored Fillings Azalea DentalDo you offer any payment plans?

At Azalea Dental, we are happy to file insurance claims on your behalf, and we also offer financing to help patients and their families get the care they deserve.

Our In-House Discount Savings Plan is a yearly plan designed to help you and your loved ones receive low-cost dental care in Summerville, SC. This plan also includes savings on advanced services. We encourage you to contact our dental office in Summerville, SC to learn more.

We have also partnered with CareCredit and LendingClub—providers who allow for interest-free financing and low monthly payments on your health and dental care treatments. Get in touch with us to learn more about these programs. The application is simple, and replies take only a few minutes.

And don’t forget to ask about our exclusive pre-payment plan!

Contact Our Dental Office to Learn More 

Our patients love tooth-colored fillings because they look natural and allow for discreet repair. The composite material also represents an inexpensive way to repair a tooth and enhance your smile. 

At Azalea Dental, we used tooth-colored fillings because they improve, protect, and enhance the smiles of our patients, and they do so without the high cost. If you would like to learn more, or if you're considering repairing your tooth, get in touch with our Summerville, SC dental office today.

We look forward to meeting you and helping you achieve your best smile. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you get a cavity in a tooth, you must fill the cavity to prevent it from spreading. When you have a cavity filled, the filling takes the place of the infected material that your dentist needed to remove to save your tooth. 

Dental fillings are permanent, and you can’t ever get back the tooth material that you lost. You can, however, prevent additional cavities in the future.

Additional Ways To Prevent Cavities

If you have tooth-colored fillings in Summerville, SC, it’s vital to protect your teeth, so you don’t sustain additional dental decay. Some of the ways you can prevent additional cavities include:

  • Drinking fluoride-treated water instead of soda and juice
  • Limiting your snacks between meals 
  • Brushing your teeth after every meal
  • Flossing every night before you go to bed
  • Visiting your Summerville “dentist near me” at least every six months for teeth cleanings
  • Rinsing with mouthwash at least once per day
  • Chewing sugarless gum after eating to promote saliva production

Cavities cannot be “cured” without dental fillings, but the good news is they are highly preventable. 

Call Our Summerville, SC Dental Clinic

At Azalea Dental, we provide dental fillings in Summerville, SC should you ever discover that you have a cavity. To schedule a dental filling appointment with our dentist, please call us today!

The most obvious reason we choose tooth-colored fillings at our Summerville, SC dental office is their natural appearance.

What are tooth-colored fillings?

Tooth-colored fillings are a composite of glass and resin particles, which imparts a natural appearance that resembles dental enamel. We can even match the material to the shade of your tooth, which makes composites perfect for teeth that show when you smile and for fixing small aesthetic flaws like chipped or broken teeth.

Silver amalgam fillings appear as a dark spot in your smile, so they were often used on back teeth like molars. The problem is that over time, a tooth filled with amalgam takes on a bluish hue.

Get tooth-colored fillings near Summerville, SC

Another reason we choose tooth-colored composites is that Dr. Riley needs to remove only the decayed portion to create a durable repair. Amalgam fillings, on the other hand, require a large space in which to sit, which means we have to remove healthy tooth structure in addition to the decayed portion.

As you can see, tooth-colored fillings are a great choice with several benefits. If it’s time for your routine checkup or you suspect you have a cavity, please call Azalea Dental to arrange an appointment to discuss your needs.

Meet Our Doctor:

Thomas P. Riley, DMD | Azalea Dental

Thomas P. Riley, DMD

Dr. Thomas Riley, a prominent Summerville dentist, considers himself a homegrown ‘Summervillian’ through and through. His exposure to the community extends far back, as he attended Summerville High School, played soccer for the Summerville Soccer Club, and went to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church while growing up. He then went on to attend Auburn University and the College of Charleston, where he finished with a degree in Chemistry.

Prior to becoming an active member of the Summerville dentistry community, Dr. Riley graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina.

In 2007, Dr. Riley ...

Featured Blog Posts - Tooth-Colored Fillings

September 24, 2019

Your Smile Is Stronger Than You May Think

Close up of tooth enamel l Azalea Dental Summerville SC

A beautiful smile is a powerful tool for expressing emotion. But the best smiles are those that are strong and healthy. Our teeth are naturally strong and durable, and with modern dentistry, there’s little reason why you can’t keep them that way throughout life.

Most people don’t realize quite how durable ...

April 4, 2019

3 Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings

female dental patient I weatherstone in simpsonville, sc

Do you have a dental filling? Based on the findings of the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the number of adults with filled, decayed, or missing permanent teeth is about 94 percent. So, if you're not careful with your oral health, there’s a good chance you either ...

February 24, 2019

The Prominent Role Bacteria Play in Cavities

woman having dental exam | azalea dental near simpsonville, sc

When you were a kid, your parents probably told you that sugar was bad for your teeth and caused cavities. They were right, of course, but to this day, you may not know why you should avoid sweets.

If you do get a cavity, however, your dentist uses tooth-colored fillings in ...

Tooth-Coloured Fillings for Your Lifestyle
Learn More